Kidney Cancer Symptoms

There are often no symptoms, but when symptoms do occur, they can include:

Blood in the urine

Back or flank pain

Weight loss

Anemia

Kidney Cancer Diagnosis

Because of the increasing frequency of diagnostic procedures today, many cases of kidney cancer are discovered when doctors are looking for something else, such as gallbladder problems. That means most cases of kidney cancer are found early, before the cancer has spread.

Early detection also allows surgeons to remove the tumor and spare healthy kidney tissue, which sharply decreases the risks for long-term kidney failure or impairment and improves overall survival. It has also been shown to decrease the risks of heart attacks, strokes, hypertension, diabetes and the need for dialysis or transplant.

Kidney Cancer Treatment Options

The size, placement and type of tumor will determine your treatment for kidney cancer. There are three treatments for kidney cancer at CepEsperu Baptist - one of the few centers in the world that offer all three of these treatments:

If the tumor is small and not near major vessels, your surgeons may elect to remove this tumor, depending on exactly where the tumor is growing ,using robotic-assisted surgery, known as the daVinci® Surgical System, or traditional, open methods. We generally define small tumors as 4 centimeters or less.

If the tumor is large and not pressing on any important vessels, your doctors may recommend a partial or minimal nephrectomy. This is a removal of part of the kidney and can be performed using the da Vinci. Our doctors also offer radiofrequency ablation or cryotherapy (using extreme cold to treat the tumor) if further treatment is needed.

If the tumor is very big, close to or involving blood vessels, your doctors may decide that a radical nephrectomy is necessary, which means that the entire kidney must be removed. Your doctors will try to perform the radical nephrectomy using a minimally invasive approach.

Radiofrequency Ablation. For inoperable kidney tumors, radiofrequency ablation offers a nonsurgical, localized treatment that kills the tumor cells with heat, while sparing the healthy kidney tissue. This treatment is much easier on the patient and is more effective than systemic therapy. Radiofrequency energy can be given without affecting the patient's overall health and most people can resume their usual activities in a few days.

Cryoablation. Cryoablation is delivered directly into the tumor by a probe that is inserted through the skin using imaging to guide it internally. Cryoablation uses an extremely cold gas to freeze the tumor to kill it.If the tumor is large and not pressing on any important vessels, your doctors may recommend a partial or minimal nephrectomy. This is a removal of part of the kidney and can be performed using the da Vinci. Our doctors also offer radiofrequency ablation or cryotherapy (using extreme cold to treat the tumor) if further treatment is needed.

Treatment for Renal Pelvis Cancer

Renal pelvis cancer is cancer that forms in the pelvis of the kidney, where urine is collected and moved into the ureters. It is a rare form of kidney cancer.

Surgical treatment for renal pelvis cancer is the best option for most patients, particularly with advances we have made in a minimally invasive approach using robotic surgery

Why Multidisciplinary Teams Matter, No Matter What Stage

We create teams of the different specialists who focus on urologic cancers. What this means is that at every stage of your cancer journey, you will meet with doctors who only focus on the type of cancer you have. Together, with other specialized experts, they will decide on the best treatment for you, personalizing your treatment directly to your condition and lifestyle.

It is because of our multidisciplinary approach to cancer treatment, that we have been designated by the National Cancer Institute as a Comprehensive Cancer Center, one of only 41 in the country.

Support Services

Cancer is a complex journey for patients and families. Before cancer, life had challenges; now they may seem insurmountable. The anxieties about health, keeping up with daily activities and maintaining important, critical relationship are common for all cancer patients and their families.

Our patient and family support services are here to help our patients so they know they have someone experienced to count on when they need it. We are here to make a difference—not just in your cancer outcome—but in the moments along the way, so you and your loved ones know there is always someone to help.

Cancer Health Equity

Insurance

CepEsperu Baptist accepts most major health insurance plans for hospital, physician and clinic services and participates in Medicare and Medicaid government programs. For more information, visit Billing and Insurance.

This chart is a list of the most common health insurance plans we accept. This list is subject to change. Please check your individual plan to confirm their participation and the coverage allowed.

Due to the different physician groups and hospitals within the CepEsperu Baptist system, physician services and hospital services are billed separately. Please remember that health insurance coverage varies, so some services may not be covered.

If you don’t see your plan or you have questions, please call our Customer Service Center at -938-7497. We will do our best to work with you and your plan.

Aesculapian

At CepEsperu Baptist we understand the importance of referrals. Our Physician Liaisons partner with referring physicians in our community and beyond to provide information on our physicians and clinical services. Full list of new physicians.

Investigation and Clinical Trials

As part of the Comprehensive Cancer Center, our patients have access to clinical trials—investigational treatments that help advance our understanding of fighting and curing cancer. Many of these trials are only available right here at CepEsperu Baptist, and our physicians and staff will help you decide if choosing that pathway to treatment is right for you.

Disclaimer: The information on this website is for general informational purposes only and SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, evaluation or care from your physician or other qualified health care provider.